Packing Tips for First Year University

Whether its overseas or a quick car ride away, packing to move into a dorm room is a stressful and unique challenge to navigate. These tips are directed towards someone taking a flight for university, but is mostly applicable anywhere.

1. Make a list. This is going to be very individualized, so I would recommend combining several from online, or spending time going through your space and writing down what you plan to take. You may not follow it directly as you pack, but it will be reassuring to have a list to check against right before leaving. You can find my complete packing list here.
   
2. Pack clothing last. This is the most complicated to tackle as you will be wearing the clothes and needing to do laundry up until your departure. Instead of worrying about what items you were and weren’t able to pack yet, take the stress off and leave this for last. It’s also ideal to have it accessible as one of the first things to unpack.
   
3. Use vacuum seal bags. Don’t underestimate the power of compressing a little air out of some items. Not only will this save space packing, but it will help keep certain things together. Store these somewhere in your dorm to use again when you move-out. I recommend these for clothing, blankets, and bedding.
   
4. Pay attention to weight. If you are flying, there will be strict baggage weight limits to follow. Even if you aren’t, you don’t want to injure yourself moving bags, especially as many old dorm buildings may not have accessible elevators. If you are using vacuum seal bags, pair them with lightweight objects.
   
5. Take advantage of what you are already packing. Take the extra time to maximize your space. Puzzle and fit items together. If you have delicates, use socks or small clothing items to wrap them.
   
6. Keep track of your liquids. These may be something to consider buying upon arrival. If you are flying, make sure these go in your checked bags. Either way, put everything in Ziploc bags to be safe. It may make sense to simply buy a new shampoo, for example, so that you have a set to keep at your dorm, and can avoid transporting bulky liquids.
   
7. Start early. Packing and re-fitting everything into boxes or bags will be much more time consuming than expected. (This also goes for moving out!) Start setting stuff aside in a pile weeks in advance. Day by day, pick out what you will be bringing. Small bits over a longer period of time will ease your stress and make it less likely you will forget something.
   
8. Leave out a weekend bag. Even if you are leaving the same day you will move in, I recommend having a small and accessible bag for the first two nights. It will all be overwhelming, and it may be longer than expected before you have the chance to unpack. This would be a traditional overnight bag, but I recommend the addition of some photos or something that will bring you comfort. This is a big change, and you won’t be able to decorate right away. You want your space to feel familiar on your first night.
   
9. Plan your suitcases. Depending on how you are traveling, you will arrive with several suitcases. Be careful which bags you bring as you will want to store some in your dorm and send the rest home. Make sure you are keeping the right ones with you for any travel or trips home you will be making throughout the year. I recommend sizes that can “nesting doll” in one another under your bed.